New Internet Computer Company Releases NIC 2.0

New release makes connecting the device to the Internet easier.

March 16, 2001

By
Michael Hall

Oracle spin-off New Internet Computer Company (NICC) has released
version 2.0 of the operating system for its NIC: a Linux-based
Internet appliance. According to the company, the enhancements are
centered around streamlining the device's usability and improving the
ease with which the device can connect to various broad-band and
dialup ISP's.

This newest version of the OS is available as a free upgrade on CD to
current NIC users.

NICC shaves some of the costs of the device by using no hard drive. User
preferences and bookmarks are saved in flash RAM and the OS itself is
loaded from CD ROM. Since the product's initial release, Linux
enthusiasts have managed to create their own boot CD's to add to the
functionality already provided by the device or to simply use them as
diskless X workstations.

The basic NIC specifications include:

VIA Cyrix MII PR266 processor

64MB RAM

4MB EEPROM

24X CD-ROM Drive

56K Modem

10/100 base T Ethernet

2 USB Ports

Keyboard & Mouse

Speakers

The base unit costs $199.99. Additional bundles are available that
provide either a 15" SVGA monitor for a total of $319.98 or a 12.1"
flat screen active matrix LCD display for a total of $664.98.